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Custom ROM? Asus Transformer Pad 300 gets bootloader unlock tool

The Transformer Pad 300 might not be the hottest Android-based tablet available these days, but Asus has its ways to ensure the popularity of the company’s products. The 10-incher quad-core tablet has just gotten a bootloader unlock tool, so if custom ROMs are your thing, the “games” can now officially begin!

Following in the footsteps of the Transformer Prime, the Transformer Pad 300 has been released last month with pretty much the same tech specs as its predecessor, but with a plastic exterior replacing the sturdy and elegant Prime’s aluminum body.

Asus has released a bootloader unlock tool for the Transformer Prime as well in February, so this recent move involving the Pad 300 shouldn’t surprise anybody. Then again, we know a company or two (cough, Motorola, cough) that has several gadgets locked for a while and simply refuses to release bootloader unlock tools, enraging many of its users. In light of this, it’s nice to see Asus still caring about the Android independent developers community

Getting back to the Transformer Pad 300, you should know that the installation of the unlock device app is very simple and you can find the APK file on Asus’ official website, right under utilities. However, you should keep in mind that, if you choose to install the bootloader unlock tool, you will void your warranty and any damage suffered by your tablet in the unlocking process or later, while using custom ROMs, will have to be fixed with money from your own pockets.

If you’ve been avoiding getting the Transformer Pad 300 until now, you should know that it’s still available for around $399.99 on most online stores, with 32 GB of on-board memory. For that money, you’ll get a 10-incher powered by a quad-core 1.2 GHz Nvidia Tegra 3 processor and featuring a 1280-by-800 pixels resolution screen, 1 GB of RAM and 8 MP/1.2 MP dual cameras. The optional docking station, turning the TF 300 into a mini-laptop and extending the battery life to a whopping 12 hours, is itself still available and goes for around $140.

How about it, folks? Are you ready to give up your warranty for the chance to flash an unofficial software package on the Transformer Pad 300? Should we get ready for an avalanche of custom ROMs and new firmwares for Asus’ 10-incher? Will you be looking yourself to tweak things up in the ICS-running slate?